How to Visit the White and Blue Temples in Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai, while being a departure city for most people for the slow boat to Laos, is also home to some of Thailand’s most incredible temples. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) are both absolutely stunning and are well worth extending your time in Chiang Rai for. Here is everything you need to know about visiting them.

White Temple

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The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun)

While taking a taxi or tuk tuk to the temple is always an option, the cheapest way is by taking a local bus from the central bus station. The bus will cost you 25 baht (approx. 50p) for a one-way ticket, and they will collect the fare when you’re on the bus. The first one of the day is at 8am, so try to be on that one to beat the crowds of tour groups which arrive a bit after.

If you tell your driver or conductor you want to go to the White Temple, they will tell you when to get off the bus, and then it’s just a one minute walk to the entrance where you can buy a ticket. The tickets cost 100 baht (approx. £2.20) on the door.

You need to have your knees and shoulders covered to visit this temple, and they are notoriously strict here. Even people wearing a scarf to cover a sleeveless shirt have been known to be rejected, and they are made to go buy a t-shirt to wear instead. Obviously these are touristy t-shirts which are wildly overpriced, so be prepared.

While the White Temple is the main one in the complex, there are also other golden ones and much more to see if you go beyond it. It is an absolutely stunning temple that is 100% worth all of the hype around it, I cannot recommend going enough.

The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten)

Less visited than its white counterpart, the Blue Temple is another stunning temple in Chiang Rai. To get there from Chiang Rai, the cheapest way is again the local bus. If you’re heading there from the White Temple, you will need to take the bus back to the bus station and change onto another bus. Alternatively, if you are in a group and can split the cost of a tuk tuk to it, it is worth doing this. It saves you a lot of time at a very small price difference if you can negotiate it!

Blue Temple

Unlike the White Temple, the Blue Temple is free to enter. The outside is incredible, but I was honestly more blown away by the interior. You will need to have your shoulders and knees covered again. There is also a small museum on the complex which is interesting to visit.  

Inside the Blue Temple

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Chiang Rai’s temples. They really are not to be missed. As always, please respect the places you visit, and only leave your footprints behind :)